Friday Favorites #3

Hello, hello, and happy Friday! This weekend I’m looking forward to my first Orioles game in Baltimore, and soaking up as much time in the sun as I can! This morning I’m sharing a few of my weekly favorites below in keeping with my Friday Favorites tradition. Feel free to join in on the fun and comment below with one thing you’ve been loving lately, too. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Finishing The School Year

Last Friday wrapped up my third year teaching, and my first year teaching 5th grade. I had a blast with my students this year and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of kids to spend each day with. My students are the best, and I’m so happy spending time with and teaching them each day. While I’ll cherish each one of them and the memories that we made this year, I’m also looking forward to summer. Lots of beach time, traveling, and relaxing are on the agenda, so I can’t wait!

Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettucine

This pasta packs a serious protein punch, as one serving provides 24 grams. The nutritional stats for one serving are: 2 grams of fat, 19 grams of carbs, and 24 grams of protein. All for 194 calories! I am always looking for new ways to incorporate protein in my diet as I am a vegetarian, so I loved the high protein content. I topped a bowl of this fettuccine with organic sauce and parmesan cheese.

(Anything pairs well with a little Pinot Grigio, am I right?)

My Grandma’s Quilt

My grandma was well known for many things, including her banana bread, buckeyes, and dozens upon dozens of Christmas cookies each year. Baking wasn’t the only talent she had; she also loved sewing and could make anything from handmade aprons and pajamas to pillowcases and quilts. She began a tradition many years ago of sewing a quilt for each one of her children and grandchildren, and was working through mine when she passed away. She had almost finished it, so my mom picked out a pattern for the edging on the quilt, and had it finished for me this year. This quilt is so special to me not only because my grandmother made it with love, spending numerous hours picking out each square of fabric and hand-stitching them together, but also because she was working through mine at the time that she passed away. I’ll always have this quilt to remember her by now, and I’m so thankful for the memories I have with her.

Out of their new flavors, I have tried the Cake Batter, and the Brownie Blast. However, for this chocolate loving girl, the Brownie Batter totally steals the show! It has brownie bites and chocolate chips mixed in. YES. PLEASE. One 1/2 cup serving clocks in at just 75 calories, with 1.5 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of protein. Whey protein, organic cane sugar, and natural stabilizers (like xanthan gum) are just a few of the ingredients that result in this low-calorie, creamy treat. Where I live, I have found Arctic Zero at Giant, Food Lion, and Wal-Mart, but have only seen the new flavors at Wal-Mart so far.

No More PT

This spring, I had been going to Physical Therapy once a week, to work on making my upper back stronger. A couple of weeks ago, I had a re-eval where I learned I had made much progress in my sessions there. With strict orders to continue my exercises at home, I was told I didn’t need to continue to attend! The pain and soreness in my upper back was one I had been experiencing for awhile, so I finally felt like something helped it and was thankful I decided to go to PT. If you’re local and am looking for a Physical Therapy office, I highly recommend Salisbury Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.

Welcome to my blog!

I'm Amanda and I am a Teacher living in Salisbury, Maryland. Build a Balanced Life follows my passion for teaching, running, and all things fitness. Join me on my journey as I lead a (mostly) healthy and balanced lifestyle!